I'm trying to find a word that is used to describe something that is generally accepted and well known, but is not necessarily written down or properly defined. The word is one I have used in the past but for some reason my neurons are not firing properly and I can not remember the word.

Most of the instructions are based on <blank> information by a variety of
individuals.

or in a slightly different form

Their <blank> experiences in the field define the way the business operates.

[edit]I've added my own answer because I have since found the word I was looking for: Anecdotal. My synonyms above were slightly inaccurate, although the sentences, along with what I wanted to use the word for, still works as I intended it to based on the actual definition.[/edit]

11 Answers
11

Most of the instructions are based on established information from a variety of individuals.

For the second: collective

Their collective experiences in the field define the way the business operates.

Although I would note that semantically, the second sentence is not quite right- Those experiences could help to shape the way the business operates or they inform the processes adopted by the business, but the experiences cannot, in and of themselves, define the way the business operates.

There is a huge controversy about best practice(s), with some of the "recommended" best practices gaining notoriety. I think it is better not to continue past doing this phrase to death. :)
–
KrisMar 28 '12 at 6:54

Kris, isn't that true for any of the other suggested words? The words conventional, anecdotal, common, and mainstream can all be used where specific evidence would be more convincing.
–
amcnabbMar 28 '12 at 23:55

Unlike the other established words, best practices came into being without a clear definition, so people went about using it in any which way. And it became a buzz word!
–
KrisMar 29 '12 at 9:20

I have edited my answer to include the clear definition from the OED. The word "conventional" has 12 definitions, "anecdotal" has 2, "common" has 5, and "mainstream" has 2. Sure, anything can be used as a buzzword, and that has nothing to do with whether there are clear definitions.
–
amcnabbMar 29 '12 at 14:49

Reddit came to the rescue with this one. The word I couldn't remember was Anecdotal, as in anecdotal evidence. My synonyms were wrong, but my original understanding / use of the word was still accurate.

Definition: "(2) Based on casual observations or indications rather than rigorous or scientific analysis"

Anecdotal has a distinct negative connotation in most contexts. Also, it is not necessarily 'accepted' or even well-known at all.
–
KrisMar 28 '12 at 6:55

Kris, did the OP specifically ask for positive connotations? I don't see any hint of this in the question.
–
amcnabbMar 28 '12 at 23:59

@amcnabb: the OP did not say explicitly 'I want words with positive connotations' but all his synonyms and explanation are in the positive direction. 'pragmatic','accepted', 'well-known', etc.
–
MitchMar 29 '12 at 15:15